A New Jersey woman has been charged after police say she drove a Jeep through a fence and into a crowded swimming pool at a Vermont resort while allegedly under the influence of alcohol, causing panic among swimmers and injuring two people.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday at Smuggler’s Notch Resort in Cambridge, Vermont, according to the Vermont State Police.
Authorities said the woman, whose identity has not been released because of legal restrictions related to the ages of individuals involved, allegedly drove her Jeep through the fence surrounding the resort’s swimming pool before the vehicle plunged into the water.
At the time of the crash, the pool was filled with guests, including children. Swimmers rushed to get out of the way as the Jeep entered the pool.
State police said two people sustained minor injuries during the incident. One of the injured victims was 9-year-old Joseph Sage, who described the frightening moment in an interview with local television station WPTZ.
“I just heard a bang, and a car went there,” Joseph said. “It hit my head and pulled me under.”
Emergency responders arrived quickly, and authorities confirmed that both injured victims suffered only minor injuries.
Images from the scene showed the Jeep submerged in the swimming pool after the crash. A towing company later used a crane to lift the vehicle out of the water while emergency crews secured the area.
According to investigators, the driver showed signs of impairment and allegedly failed multiple field sobriety tests administered at the scene. She was arrested and charged with:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Reckless or grossly negligent operation
- Two counts of reckless endangerment
Police allege that her actions endangered numerous people who were using the resort pool at the time.
The woman appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to local reports, she could face up to two years in prison for each DUI and negligent operation charge, along with an additional potential one-year sentence for the reckless driving-related offense if convicted.
As part of her release conditions, the judge ordered her not to drive and prohibited her from consuming alcohol while the criminal case is pending. A future court date has not yet been announced.
Smuggler’s Notch Resort, located about 30 miles northeast of Burlington, is a popular year-round destination known for its ski slopes during the winter and swimming pools and other outdoor recreational activities during the summer.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing as Vermont State Police continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
